Both PPP and APNU leaders use power to get perks

Nov 20, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
Like their predecessors, members of the governing Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in the South American Republic of Guyana have sought the reins of power for the perks, according to key observers. Grand campaign promises were made. Not surprisingly, the population was conned as political perks have become symptomatic of the political administration, current and past. A special piece of legislation to give former Prime Minister Hamilton Green a whooping pension is the latest example of the perks Guyanese politicians seek after.
What Hammie Green has done for Guyana is questionable. The impending legislation seeks “to provide a pension, benefits and other facilities to Hamilton Green, Prime Minister from 1985 to 1992, to enable him to live in keeping with the high office he occupied.” As a result, Green will get about $16 million of Guyanese taxpayers’ dollars as a pension, in addition to what he already receives from Parliament, according to reports. The perk setting formula surfaced under former President Bharat Jagdeo who initially engineered legislation for a huge allowance and pension after he demitted office.
Under Jagdeo’s Presidency, close political and other friends have become millionaires through a number of shady economic deals. The People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) Administration employed numerous party activists as contract workers who were paid millions in monthly salaries for non-productive work. Ambassadors were allowed in some cases to write their own contract of employment. One ambassador for example, was paid over US$8000 as part of his package in addition to special first class travel allowances for himself and family.
The mansions in Pradoville One and Pradoville Two as well as the extravagant life style these politicians barefacedly live, attest to the ‘squandermania’ under the PPP administration. Details of white collar criminality, revealed by a number of forensic audits, continue to shock the nation. While in opposition, the PNC and minority parties constantly harped on Jagdeo’s pension perks and pledged to revisit the legislation.
A minor revision was subsequently made by the APNU administration upon assumption to office but Jagdeo continues to enjoy millions of taxpayers’ dollars. The political perks continue to be sought after. Within months the new APNU Government gave themselves more than 50 percent increases in salary and allowances.
Today the economy staggers to keep afloat, thanks to low oil prices and increasing gold production. Meanwhile, President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other Ministers travel around the world attending conferences of varying sorts. How tangible, these visits will benefit the nation will never be determined. A number of Guyanese political politicians, according to insiders, accumulate millions in perks while overseas from potential investors, in addition to the huge allowance they are given from the treasury for each day spent overseas to cover food, hotel, transportation and entertainment. Despite modest economic growth over the years, per capita income remains the lowest in the English-speaking Caribbean.
At the same time, public servants struggle on meager wages and salaries, having been granted a minimal increase. ”Faced with a national debt of roughly US$1.65 billion, the equivalent of roughly 60 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) of US$3 billion, huge debt-servicing cost, a bankrupt GuySuCo and a declining growth rate, the government must act swiftly to prevent any further erosion of the economy.” according to a press report. Time for a financial audit of political perks and the cost to taxpayers and the treasury.
Raj Deen

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